Lamp-socket-securing means for electric fixtures



Nov. 6, 1928. 1,690,940

H. E. NICKERSON LAMP SOCKET SECURING MEANS FOR ELECTRIC FIXTURES Filed July 26, 1926 guventoz g 1 I flew/ y [Mkerroa 351 M0 CIT hornet;

Patented Nov 6, 1928.

UNITED STATES HENRY E. NICKERSON, OF BRIDGEPORT,

1,690,940 PATE'NTH OFFICE.

CCNNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE AS- SIGN'MENTS, TO WEBER ELECTRIC COMPANY, OF SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK, A COB- IPORATION OF NEW YORK.

LAMP-SOCKET-SECURING MEANS FOR ELECTRIC ILIXTUIELES.

Application filed July 26,

The present invention has reference to lighting appliances and pertains more especially to a device for holding an electric lamp socket in position therein.

One of the objects of this invention s the production of an improved holding device of the character described, adapted to accommodate the exterior of the metallic casing associated with a lamp-socket, preferably of the usual type, and locking the same to the interior of an existing, so-called ceiling canopy, still without changing the latter or the socket.

Another object is the provision in a holder of the type specified, of retainers capable of engaging either or both of'the side and end portions of an electric lamp socket, for the purpose of keeping the latter from a'xlal displacement.

A further object consists in producing a device of the class set forth, embodying means for positively locating the exit for the pulling medium of what is termed a pulLsocket, in alignment with the passage for this medium in the side of the ceiling canopy.

Still another object resides in providing a device of the nature referred to, having means coacting with a projection upon a lamp socket, preferably at the side thereof; and also having means to exert a thrust against one side of an interior part belonging to the canopy, and serving to draw the opposite portion of the socket onto the other side of the same part.

A still further object is the production of a device of the kind mentioned, arranged to support the casing of a standard lamp socket upon an interior ledge usually formed at the juncture between the parts constituting the canopy, irrespective of the size of the opening left intermediate the edges of this ledge.

An additional object is to provide a device for the purpose implied, in the use whereof certain parts of a lamp socket unaffecting the operation of the latter, may be advantageously omitted to reduce the cost of the ensemble.

A general object is to furnish-a practical device of the genus alluded to, composed of few and simple parts; of light but strong and durable construction; reliable as well as convenient to assemble; besides amenable to low cost of manufacture, principally through punch-press operations.

Other objects and advantages of the inven- 1926. Serial No. 124,960.

tion will become apparent as the specification proceeds.

VVith the aforesaid objects in View, the invention consists of the novel combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described in their preferred embodiments, pointed out in the subjoined claims, and illustrated on the annexed drawing, wherein like parts are designated by the same reference characters throughout the several views.

Generally described, the device under consideration includes in its organization, a flange-like support having an interior rim which affords a seat for the customary enlarged middle portion of the metallic casing that envelopes the lamp-socket proper. The underside of this support rests upon the upper face of an inwardly extending annular ledge usually formed at the juncture of the top and bottom shells composing a ceiling canopy. A flanged nut is employed to engage screW threads embodied with the lower portion of the socket casing. The flange of bears against the under face of the ledge mentioned and serves to clamp the socket casing and its support thereto. Retaining means rising from and suitably fixed relative to the flange-like support is provided for the purpose of engaging a side or lateral project-ion on the socket, such as the guide-throat for the pull-chain which projects from the side of the lamp-socket. Another means may be provided on the support, if desired, to reach over the end of the socket with the object of anchoring it to the flanged support. Coacting receiving and engaging elements incorporated with the support and the annular ledge, respectively, are adapted to locate the before named guide-throat in proper relation to a passage for the pull-chain through the side of the canopy.

The advantages of the invention as here the aforesaid nut whensame is tightened up,

outlined are best realized when all of its fea- I identified with said improvements, are de-. noted by reference numerals in the approved ash showing. the invention.

In the said drawing Figure I is a sectional elevation of this improved holding device, parts thereof being broken away;

Fig. II is a perspective view of a supporting member pertaining to the invention;

Fig. III is a fragmentary sectional elevation showing a modified construction of looking element operatively connected up with the supporting member illustrated by Fig. II; and

Fig. IV is-a perspective detail view of a retainer employed in conjunction with the structure represented by Fig. I.

Referring now to these views of the annexed drawing, for a detailed description of the invention thereby exemplified, it will be noted that capital letters are employed to designate the known parts pertaining to a ceiling canopy and lamp-socket, and the same as used herein, are meant to indicate as well other structures to which this improved-device is applicable, that is, such entities as are not deemedto belong to the present improvements, except in so far as they form therewith legitimate combinations'of elements capable of yielding novel and useful results. On the other hand,-theelements and members preferred exemplification of the manner.

Pursuant therefore, to the mode of notatlon verted shell of a ceiling canopy that is joined to a lower inverted shell B, by the usual method of sealed flanges, C, D, and E. Of these flanges, C constitutes the continuation of the bottom edge of the first (mentioned shell, while the other flanges D and E, which take respectively over and under the intermediate flange C, are formed with the top edge of the lower shell B. The before named flanges, comprising together an annular ledge F which extendsa certain distance inwardly of the canopy shells A, B, thus leaving a central opening Gtherethrough. Piercing the lower margin of the shell B, are screws one of which is denoted at H, andwhereon is carried by its rim, in the ordinary manner, a shade J of any approved shape and design. K designates the metallic casing that surrounds the customary electric lamp-socket and which is shown as having .at the side thereof a projection which in the'type'of socket illustrated 1s a guide-throat L, for the pull-chain M, operating its current control, as is common practice. This pulling medium is led outwardly through the side of the upper canopy shell by means of a passage 'N rovided therein. The socket-casing K is of the usual type having a reduced lower portion forming external casing portions of different diameters and is furnished exteriorly at the lower por- .or one or more spacing washers 13 of time to the ledge erein adopted, A represents the upper, in-- engagement one wit-h the 0th tion thereof, as usually is the case, with suitable means such as the screw-threads P for attaching a fastening device. An electric light bulb, depending from the interior of the lamp-socket, is denoted at Q.

' Removably inserted from the top of the upper canopy shell A, and lodged upon the le ge F thereof, is a flange-like member 11, spanning the edges that bound the central opening G. This member may be either placed in direct contact with said led e F, suitable material, can be interposed between the underside of the members flange (l1) and the top face of the said ledge, in order to maintam the member at a desired elevation relamentioned. For purposes of preventing rotation of the member 11 with respect to the ledge F, or in other words,- to locate the said mem r in a predetermined position thereto, the flange portion (11) ma be provided with a receiving element 15 o set to one side of the flange, that is, u wardly as shown on the accompanying rawing. With the said element 15 coacts an engagement element 17 raised above the upper surface of the annular ledge F. While two re ceivin elements have been indicated in Fig. I, one by full lines in front, and the other dotted. at the rear of the socket-casing K, it is within the province of the invention to employ only a single one of these elements, as

depicted at 15, Fig. II. Furthermore, it will be understood, that the aforenamed receiving and engaging elements 15 and 17 respectively, may be reversely disposed 'from what has been specifically illustrated. v

Spaced'inwardly of the outer edge of the member lland elevated above the flange portion thereof, is an interior rim 19, constituting a seat with which coacts the bulging middle part of the lamp-socket casing. The lower contracted portion of the latter depends below the flange (11) of the said member and the ledge F subl ing the same. By reason of the fact that the external diameter of the members flange is of smaller size than the largest dimension of the similar portion of the said ledge, and also that opening G in the canopy, is wider than the measurement across the contracted lower part of the socket casing, the flange and the casing mentioned, may be shifted laterally to a limited extent, while the before named elements 15, 17, still are in The means for keeping the lamp socket in position relatively to the flanged member and prevent disassociation therebetween, consists as shown, of a yoke-shaped retainer21, preferably made of resilient material. As seen most clearly in Fig. legs 23, extending from the transverse sides of a bridge or cross-piece 25, of slightly dished formation. From Fig. I it will be observed, that the cross-piece referred to,

IV, this yokecomprises overlies the upper extremity of the casing proper, i. e. after the can generally taking over the same, has been removed. The width of the bridge-piece 25 may be such as to wholly or. partly cover the top of the casing K. Between the underside of the yokes bridge and the top of the interior of the socket casing, is interposed a disc 27, of an appropriate insulating substance. Although it has been illustrated that the said crosspiece 25 and the legs 23, are composed of strap-like material of uniform width, it will be comprehended that this can be varied to suit conditions encountered in practice, e. g. one or the other of these parts may be wider or narrower, as desired. At 29 is indicated that the legs 23 are forked and that the extremities of these bifurcations are bent or offset inwardly, feet-like, under the bridge 25, as denoted at 31. The purpose of the bifurcated legs, is to straddle a projection on the socket which in the present instance is the guide-throat L, ordinarily projecting from the side of certain types of lamp-sockets. Subsequently to pushing the branched legs 23 over the sides of the socketcasing, the offsets or feet 31, snap beneath the under faces of the raised portions pertaining to the receiving elements 15, on opposite sides of the flanged member 11. Flexing of the bridge or cross-piece 25 enables the aforesaid feet to effect the engagement spoken of. For casings void of chain guide-throats or other projections in their sides, there is no necessity of making the' legs 23 of the retainers 21 of forked formation.

Under certain circumstances where it is desired to have an additional safeguard so as not to depend upon the yoke 21 alone, to hold the lamp-socket casing onto its seat 19 II the member 11, an arm 33 is provided, which arm projects upwardly from the edge of the flanged portion of the said member. The upper terminal of this arm is by preference bent right angularly over the top of the socket casing, on 'the order of a finger, as indicated at 35, Figs. I and II. Adjacent to its free end, the aforementioned finger isthreaded for a screw 37, that is disposed in eccentric relation to the axis of the said socket. with the object of more effectively precluding rotation of the latter with respect to its seat 19. Notwithstanding only one screw 37 has been shown. it stands to reason; that any number thereof can be employed to exert an endwise bearing pressure upon the socket in question. It is also conceivable that one of the screws may be entered through a tap hole 39 in the arm 33 so as to impinge laterally on the socket casing K.

At 41 is represented a sleeve-like, flanged nut which is adapted to engage the threads P or equivalent attachment part formed with the lamp socket casing, that is, on the exterior of the latters contracted outer portion.

It will be perceived that while the flange part 43 of this nut reaches upwardly outward from the lower side of the sleeve portion (41) thereof, the flange referred to, may equally as well, extend up from the top of this sleeve.

The uppermost edge of the flange 43, when the same is screwed up tight, is in abutting relation with the underface ofthe hereinfbefore mentioned ledge F. The downward, stress imposed upon the socket-casing K by tightening of the nut 41, not only draws the said casing in firm contact with the member 11, but serves also to anchor the latter to the aforenamed ledge. Openings 45 provided at the juncture of the flange 43 With the sleeve (41) are designed to accommodate a. pinv wrench (not shown) wherewith the anchoring nut is screwed into or out of its assigned position, as the case may be.

From the foregoing it will be observed, that the nut 41 secures the member 11, which in fact constitutes an abutment appendage on the socket casing K, to the supporting ledge F. The yoke 21 and the finger 35, both operate to retain the parts within the casing K from being pushed out therefrom when the lamp Q isinserted into the same, and, the receiving and engagement elements 15 and 17 respectively, locate the member 11 and the therewith indirectly connected guide-throat L in proper position relatively to the exit N for the pull-chain M in the canopy shell A.

In instances where a socket casing is used having no screw threads at the contracted portion thereof, the arrangement depicted by Figs. II and III, for anchoring the abutment member 11 to the ledge support F, may conveniently be employed. The flange portion of this member is provided with tapped apertures 47, which as seen to best advantage in Fig. II, are centrally disposed within recesses 49 formed in the side of the raised seat 19 of the said member. Into the aforesaid apertures are threaded screws, whereof one is indicated at 51, Fig. III, which. screws pass through the body of a washer 53. The latters central clearance opening takes over the contracted end of the unthreaded socket casing and abuts with itstop' face against the underside of the ledge F, at such times as the screws 51 are tightened,.-thus effecting a firm connection of the member 11 and the said washer on opposite sides of the aforenamed leg 23, may be formed integral with and extend upwardly from the edge of the flanged. niember 11. Bifurcations 29, provided on the said leg 23*, enables the same to yield far enough, to permit of the lateral projection or guide throat L, being forced down bei tween them. It will be noted that each portion of the bifurcation is cut away or formed upward movement relative to the flange memher 11,

as Well as against rotation therein. "The construction last referred to, will be fpund especially handy, when it is desired some casing caps,

tokcep the usual cap over or in position on the socket casing. Fig. II illustrates in addition, that the finger 35 offset from the arm 33, is provided with spaced apart prongs capable of taking around the neck wherewith as well known, are commonly supplied.

I11 view of what has been hereinbefore stated, it will be readily seen, that the device in question, is not only of simple construction and therefore of low cost to manufacture,

but also that the parts comprisin the same can be quickly and readily joine together. The use thereof affords a reduction in the price of the standard lamp socket, as its cap can be omitted without detriment or inconvenience. It is an easy matter to place the socket casing K in the seat of the" flanged member 11, apply the retaining yoke 21 over the casing for engagement with the receiving element 15, and set the latter .upon the coacting element 17, with the flange of the member in contact With'the ledge F. Affix- 'ing of the nut 41 completes the assembling which can be performed by any person of average intellect although inexperienced. .The procedure above set forth, is substantially the same when the member 11 and the screw-held washer 53 is used. The retainer 'arms 23* and 33 possesses sufficient elasticity to admit of being forced open or back during insertion of the socket casing, and subdesire to secure by trio lamp-socket including a casing sequcntly snapping or closing thereover.

While certain preferred embodiments of this device have been shown and described, it willbe understood that changes in the form, arrangements, pro ortions, sizes and details thereof may be ma e, Without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Y

'Having described m invention what I -etters Patent and claim, is:

1. In a. lighting fixture including a flange-' like support, the combination withan elechaving screw threads thereon, of amember separate from said. casing constituting a holder therefor seated on said support, a. nut independent of said socket engageable with said threads and provided with a part abutting the support, and means coacting with said member arranged to take over a portion of the socket to retain the interior thereof from being displaced.

2. A device of the class described compristending arm having an engaging portion adapted to engage said projection upon the socket and serve to restrain the socket against movement out of said annulus.

3. A socket assembly unit, for use'with a lighting canopy or the like having an internally projecting flange, comprising a socket having a shell, and a lateral projection from the interior parts thereof, an annulus on said shell receiving the same, said shell having an enlarged portion limiting movement through the annulus in one direction, an arm on said annulus extending substantially longitudinally of the shell and engaging said lateral projection, whereby to resist movement of the socket in the other direction relative to said annulus, and means associated with said socket andannulus for clamping the latter upon the internal flange of a canopy.

4. A socket assembly unit for use with a lighting canopy or the like having an internally projecting flange, comprising a socket having a shell, and a lateral projection from the interior parts thereof, an annulus on said shell receiving the same, said shell having an enlarged portiop limiting movement through the annulus in one direction, an'integral portion on said annulus extending along the shell and engaging said lateral projection, whereby to resist movement of the socket in the other direct-ion relative to said annulus, and a collar threadedon said socket adapted to cooperate with said annulus to clamp thg internal flange of a canopy therebetween. 5. In combination with a lighting fixture having an internal flange, an electric lamp socket having the usual shell with portions of different external diameters and a lateral projection from the interior arts thereof, an annulus receiving said soc rot and permitting only partial movement of the socket therethrough, in one direction, said annulus restfrom the interior parts lot portion engaging said projection to restrain the socket against movement in the other direction out of the annulus, and detachable means atthe'opposite side Qsaid flange for anchoring the annulus in position.

6. In combination with a lighting fixture having an internal flange,

socket having the usual shell different external diameters, and a lateral projection from the interior parts thereof, a ring-like member receiving said socket rest ing against said flange and having an upstanding portion engaging said projection to restrain the socket parts against movement in an electric lamp with port-ions of one direction away from the member, said shell having of the socket through said member in the other direction, and a. collar around the socket a,portion limiting movement at the opposite side of said flange for anchoring the member in position.

7 Q lncombinatiofi with a lighting fixture having an internal flange, an electric lamp socket having the usual shell with portions of different external diameters, an annulus resting on said flange and receiving said socket, an arm on said annulus extending longitudimany of thesocket and having a portion engaging the socket to resist movement thereof out of the annulus in one direction, the'anv nulus itself limiting movement of the socket therethrough in the other direction, and a member formed separate from the annulus surrounding the socket at the opposite side of said internal flange over the canopy and serving with the annulus to clamp the flange therebetvveen and thereby to anchor the annulus and socket'in position on the flange.

HENRY E. NICKERSON. 

